Passing Notes
Arnold purposely took the desk furthest back in the room, to release himself from the carnage of spitballs, at least for a little while.
Mr. Simmons enthusiastically read out from the art history textbook, but Arnold's attentions were solely on Helga, as she scribbled furiously in her notebook. Her pink bow swayed alongside her impassioned movements. Wisps of her blonde hair fell into her scowl.
He leaned into his palm with a sigh. I wish she liked me, he seemed to find himself thinking. What did I ever even do to her?
Oh well
Another sigh, Rhonda raised an annoyed brow from the seat beside him.
His thoughts wandered to his notebook, It was empty from lack of notes. The fourth grader found himself picking up the pen and writing.
...
-Helga,
I was wondering if you are going to come to my birthday party? You haven't rsvpeed yet and I would really really like you to come. We are going to have strawberry jello and I know its your favorite!
Please come!
-Arnold
...
He folded it, scribbled HELGA, and passed it to the kid in front of him, watching it make its way down the classroom.
His stomach tightened, realizing how stupid it was. He felt a bit dumb. Why was he bothering asking anyway? She hated him, surely. But maybe, just maybe she'd feel quite pleased at his making a special effort at making sure she came. Surely it'd maybe make her act a bit nicer to him. He'd like that.
Before he realized, a note had slip back on his desk. He unfurled it.
...
LEAVE ME ALONE YOU LOSER!
...
His face fell. Loser was underlined 5 times. Flushing with embarrassment, he slid down in his seat. Yea he definitely felt incredibly dumb.
A second ball of paper came hurling over, smacking him square in the face. He unfolded it and it read,
...
YES I AM COMING!
...
He blinked, and when he looked up he realized she was watching him. They locked eyes and she blushed, she actually blushed.
Quickly, she stuck out her tongue before whipping back around, faster than a bullet. But even from the back of the class he could see her cheeks were still burning a bright pink. Like her bow.
She was so confusing.